Apparatus and method for treatment of textile fabrics



Dec. 11, 1956 D. c. GLASSFORD ETAL 2,773,295

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FABRICS 4 Sheets$hee1 1 Filed March 25, 195:5

pmazzcam wd Franflfi 11 mm XII/I Dec. 11, 1956 D. C. GLASSFORD ET AL APPARATUS AN D METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FABRICS Filed March 25, 1955 4 Sheets-Shet 2 STABILIZER Dec. 11, 1956 D. c. GLASSFORD ETAL 2,773,295

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FABRICS 4 Sneet-Sheex :5

Filed March 25, 1953 Dec. 11, 1956 o. c. GLASSFORD ET AL 2,773,295

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF TEXTILE! FABRICS Filed March 25, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 flanakZCGIass and United States Patent APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FABRICS Donald C. Glassford, Philadelphia, and Frank R. Redman, Yardley, Pa.; said Glassford assignor to Proctor & Schwartz, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 25, 1953, Serial No. 344,582 12 Claims. (Cl. 26-185) This invention relates to treatment of textile fabrics, and more particularly to treatment of such fabrics to minimize shrinkage and to effect uniformity of residual shrinkage lengthwise and widthwise of the fabric.

It is known that the application of steam to textile fabrics is advantageous in respect to reduction of shrinkage, particularly when the application of steam is accompanied by repeated compressive working of the fibers and yarns of the fabric. This is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,325,544, issued July 27, 1943, to Frank R. Redman, one of the present applicants. Shrinkage reduction may be elfected in all types of fabrics, i. e. knitted, woven, felt, etc., by the application of steam and by working the fibers and yarns of the fabric according to the principles disclosed in the above-mentioned patent.

One object of the present invention is to provide a simple and eifective steaming and working treatment for all textile fabrics according to the broad principles of the above-mentioned patent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and eificient apparatus for effecting the steaming and working treatment.

In accordance with the present invention, the fabric to be treated is moved lengthwise substantially in one plane 'through a treatment zone and at the same time a wavelike or undulating flexing motion is imparted to the fabric in the general plane thereof, so that each successive portion of the fabric throughout the length and breadth thereof is subjected to repeated flexings as such portion moves through the treatment zone. While it is moving through the treatment zone, the fabric is subjected to steam application. Thus, the fabric is subjected to steaming and working treatment, the working being eifected by the wave-like or undulating flexing movement of the fabric. This motion of the fabric effects working of the stitches and also of the yarns and fibers in an atmosphere of steam, which relieves any tensions that may be present in the-fabric priorto the treatment. The end results of the treatment are minimization of shrinkage and stabilization of the fabric with respect to residual shrinkage both lengthwise and widthwise.

In the particular case of tubularknitted fabrics, socalled normalizing is very effective in reducing shrinkage, and the steaming and Working of the fabric after normalizing is particularly advantageous. In this connection, reference is made to the copending application of Frank R. Redman, Serial No. 313,623, filed October 8, 1952 which discloses and claims a method involving normalizing and subsequent application of steam.

Normalizing, which is the subject of U. S. Patents Nos. 2,597,528 and 2,597,530, issued May 20, 1952, to Frank R. Redman, has for its purpose to relieve or undo the distorted set of the knitted stitches of the tubular knitted fabric which comes about by reason of the lengthwise stretching of the fabric in the handling or processing thereof, as in the bleaching, dyeing and drying operations. Normalizing comprises internally expanding the tubular knitted fabric widthwise, while it is free length- 2,773,295 Patented Dec. ll, i956 wise, to effect shortening or condensing of the fabric, and permitting the fabric to relax. The object is to cause the knitted stitches to return substantially to their normal shape and position so as to restore the natural or normal condition of the tubular knitted fabric. As disclosed in the above-mentioned copending application, the application of steam to the relaxed fabric after normalizing effects consistent and uniform shrinkage reduction both lengthwise and widthwise of the fabric. This is thought to be due to either or both of two possible actions of the steam on the knitted fabric, (1) loosening of the strip of projecting fibers of the yarns on one another, and (2) removal of residual kinks or bends in the yarns.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a steaming and working treatment which may be used as a supplement to normalizing of tubular knitted fabrics, and which provides improved results from the standpoints of shrinkage reduction and stabilization of the fabric.

In the case of woven fabrics, processing in the mill causes lengthwise stretching of the fabric, and consequently the warp threads are stretched to an approximate straight line condition while the filling threads are caused to assume an exaggerated wavelike condition, resulting in elongation warpwise and reduction in width or wcftwise. Treatment of the fabric in accordance with the present invention effectively eliminates the distorted condition of the fabric and restores it substantially to its original woven condition. a

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus with smaller rolls and closer spacing;

Fig. 5 is a relatively large scale illustration showing the operation in the apparatus of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a preferred form of the apparatus;

Figs. 7 to 9 are partial longitudinal sectional views showing different forms of the rotatable members which may be used in the apparatus;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of the use of the apparatus as a supplement to normalizing; and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a dryer in association with the apparatus.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3, there is provided a casing or housing 10 forming treatment chamber 11, having an inlet opening 12 to receive the fabric and an out let opening 13 to discharge the fabric after treatment. The casing or housing 10 is preferably heat insulated to reduce condensation of steam within the chamber. The housing is preferably inclined as shown to accommodate a delivery device such as the folder 14, and to provide room for a receptacle such as a truck or other means for removal of the processed fabric material. In the apparatus illustrated the housing 10 is mounted on suitable supports 15 and 16. It should be understood, however, that inclination of the housing is not essential as far as the treatment of the fabric is concerned, and the housing may be horizontal or downwardly inclined if desired.

Within the chamber 11 there are provided a plurality of rotatable elongate members 17 which extend transversely substantially the full width of the chamber, as may be seen in Fig. 2, and whose axes of rotation 18 are in a common plane. The rotatable members 17 are all similar to one another, and they are arranged in closely spaced relation throughout the length of the chamber 11 between the inlet 12 and the outlet 13. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the rotatable members are circular in cross-section so that they are in the form of elongate rolls extending transversely of the treatment chamber. These rotatable members form a table to receive the fabric 19. Further, in accordance with the invention, the rotatable members 17 are all simultaneously rotated at the ame speed clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, in order to move the fabric in a wave-like or undulating flexing motion from the inlet end of the chamber to the outlet end thereof, as hereinafter more fully described.

As may be seen in Fig. 2, each of the rotatable members 17 has extending end spindles or shafts 20 and 21 which are journaled in bearings 22 and 23 carried by the side walls of the casing 16. Spindle 21 carries a sprocket 2 through which the member 17 is driven by endless chain 25. As may be seen in Fig. 1, the endless chain 25 engages the sprockets of all of the rotatable members 17 so as to drive them all simultaneously at the samespeed. The chain 25 is driven from motor 26 through a belt or chain drive 27 extending between a pulley or sprocket 28 on the motor shaft and a pulley or sprocket 29 connected to the last of the rotatable members 17. The folding device 14 above-mentioned is shown driven through a belt or chain 30 which serves to rotate an arm 31 to which the folding device is connected by link 32.

The fabric 19, generally in dry condition, is fed into the treatment chamber 11 and onto the table formed by the rotating members 17 at a speed sufliciently in excess of the surface speed of members 17 so that the fabric is relaxed and assumes a wave-like or undulating form as shown in Fig. 3. The rotation of the members 17 as above-described causes the fabric to move from the inlet 12 to the outlet 13 in a wave-like or undulating motion, and as it thus moves it is flexed in its plane. It will be seen that the fabric is supported by members 17 at a plurality of longitudinally spaced narrow areas extending continuously the full width of the fabric, and in the space between said areas the fabric is completely free. of support simultaneously to effect the wave-like or undulating flexing movement of the fabric as a whole. In the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the fabric is fed into the chamber 11 by a drum 33 which is driven at a peripheral or surface speed slightly in excess of the surface speed of the rotatable members 17. The drum 33 may be. driven from the first of the rotatable members 17 through an adjustable ratio belt drive 34. It is important that the fabric be fed into the treatment chamber and onto the conveying table at a rate such that the fabric will be. completely relaxed and free of tension but will not form overlapping folds. By providing an adjus'table belt drive, the speed of drum 33 may be adjusted to provide the desired surface speed ratio between it and the rotating, members 17.

Inffurther accordance with the invention, steam isapplied to the fabric as it is moved in a wave-like flexing motion by the rotating members 17 as above-described. For this purpose longitudinally-spaced transversely-extending pipes 35 and 36 are provided within the chamber 11 so as to be disposed above and below the fabric 19. Asshownin Figs. 2 and 3, the upper pipes 35 have apertures 37 at the bottom thereof, while the lower pipes 36 have apertures 38 at the top thereof. Steam is supplied to the pipes 35 and 36 and is emitted through the apertures 37 and 38 so as to provide an atmosphere of steam to which the fabric is subjected as it moves within the treatment chamber. As shown in Fig. 3, the apertures 37 and 38 are preferably directed somewhat for wardly toward the next forward roll, so that steam from; aperture 37 impinges against the upper surface of the fabric while steam from aperture 38 impinges directlyagainst the roll.

In the illustrated apparatus, drip catchers 39 (Fig. 3)

are provided to remove any condensation on the top of" Moreover, the fabric is moved at all of the areas the treatment chamber and to prevent drippage of such condensation on the fabric material being treated. The drip catchers may be in the form of troughs extending transversely of the chamber 11. Instead of using drip catchers, the roof of the chamber may be of shell construction with steam admitted thereto for heating the shell to prevent condensation thereon, or the roof may be peaked so as to carry condensation to the sides. Such arrangements are useful where the chamber is not inclined at a substantial angle and the use of drip catchers is not practical.

As shown in Fig. 2, all of the steam pipes may be supplied from a common supply manifold or pipe 40. Valves 42 and 42a are provided at the inlet ends of the steam pipes. In the arrangement shown, each lower pipe 36 is connected to the associated upper pipe 37 through a connection 41, and the two are connected to a steam trap 43 from which condensate may flow to a common manifold or pipe.

Fig. 4 shows a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 3, on the same scale, with smaller diameter rolls and with closer spacing of the rolls. Fig. 5 is an enlarged illustration showing the action of the fabric. With sufficient overfeed of the fabric into the apparatus of Fig. 4, the fabric is caused to flex as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 shows a preferred form of the apparatus in which the housing 10:; is substantially horizontal and is provided with an inlet 12a at its end. The fabric 19 is fed into the apparatus by a pair of nip rolls 33a, the overfeed being such as to produce the effect illustrated. The rolls 33:: are driven by a variable speed drive (not shown) to give the desired action as above-described.

As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the rotatable members em ployed in the treatment apparatus of the present invention may take various forms other than the circular form shownin the preceding figures. In Fig. 7 the members 17a, within the chamber 11 formed by casing 10, are of square cross-sectional shape. In Fig. 8 the members 1712 are also of square cross-section, but in this instance each rotatable member is disposed with a. 45 angle relation to the adjacent members. In other Words, numbered from the inlet of the treatment chamber the evennumbered members are angularly displaced by 45 relative to the odd-numbered members. In Fig. 9 the mem bers-17c are of hexagonal cross-section. Thus, it will be seen that the rotatable members may take various forms, a few examples of which are shown in Figs. 7 to 9.

In Fig. 10 there is shown an arrangement in which the treatment according to the present invention is provided as a supplement to normalizing of tubular knitted fabric. Diagrammatically illustrated at 44 is the normalizing device which may take one. of the forms shown in Redman Patent No. 2,597,530. In the arrangement illustrated, the normalizing device 44 is supported at 45 by means of rolls, and the fabric 46 is drawn over an idler roll. 47 and. over the normalizing device by power driven roll 48. The-latter may serve to feed the fabric into the apparatus 49 which is illustrated as being of the form illustrated. in Figs. 1 to 4. While a pullover type normalizer is shown in Fig. 10, a power-driven normaI-' izer may be used such as shown in Redman Patent No. 2,597,530. From the apparatus 49 the fabric may be deposited in a truck 50, or it may be supplied to a calendering device.

In an arrangement of the character shown in Fig. 10, a single driving motor may be employed to drive the elements which are power-driven. Thus, in the illustrated arrangement a single motor may drive the rolls 48 and also the chain for operating the rotatable members within the apparatus 49.

As shown in Fig. 11, the fabric treated according to thepresent invention may be supplied to a dryer. Some fabrics are improved by drying following the steaming and working treatment.

Drying removes the excess suramass face moisture deposited on the fabric during the steaming and working treatment, and improves the final finish and also somewhat reduces the final residue shrinkage. In Fig. 11, the fabric 51 is shown as being fed from a normalizer 52 to the treatment apparatus 53, from which the fabric is fed onto the conveyor 54 of a dryer 55 which may be of any suitable form. As it comes from the dryer the fabric is shown as being folded into a truck 56 by the folding mechanism 57.

In any particular embodiment of the invention, such as any of those illustrated and above-described, the physical dimensions may be chosen to give the best results. Merely by way of example, and without limitation of the invention, the rotating members 17 may be 2" diameter rolls having a spacing of /2" between them in the plane of their axes. Small diameter rolls are preferred because they effect greater flexing action due to the fact that the fabric is more condensed and is subjected to a greater number of more localized flexing ac tions. The number of rolls and the length and width of the device may be caried at will. In an embodiment as shown in Fig. 6 seventeen rolls were employed, and 4" diameter feed rolls fed the fabric in at the rate of 20 yards per minute, while the rolls inside the device were driven at a speed corresponding to 18 yards per minute. The width of the device may be such as to accommodate any width of fabric or a number of widths of fabric so that more than one length may be treated at one time.

While certain forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, they are not intended to limit the invention which contemplates such other forms and modifications as may occur to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for the treatment of textile fabric to minimize shrinkage and to stabilize the fabric with respect to residual shrinkage both lengthwise and widthwise, comprising a treatment chamber having an inlet to receive the fabric and an outlet spaced from the inlet to discharge the fabric after treatment, a plurality of successive fabric-supporting rotatable members arranged in a row the full distance between said inlet and said outlet, said members extending transversely within said chamber and being closely spaced relative to one another lengthwise of the chamber, said members being identical with one another in shape and size and being of uniform cross-section throughout their length to support the fabric at a plurality of longitudinally-spaced narrow areas extending continuously the full width of the fabric, the fabric being completely free in the spaces between said area-s, means for rotating said members in the same direction and at the same angular speed to effect movement of the fabric from said inlet to said outlet at a substantially constant rate, and to efiect substantially uniform wave-like flexing motion of the fabric throughout the entire distance between said inlet and said outlet, whereby to effect working of the yarns and fibers of the fabric in relaxed condition, and means for applying steam to the fabric while it is being worked.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said members are of circular cross-section.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said members are of non-circular cross-section.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said members are of non-cireular cross-section, and numbered from said inlet the even-numbered members are angularly displaced relative to the odd-numbered members.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said members are of square cross-section.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said memers are of square cross-section, and numbered from said inlet the even-numbered members are angularly displaced by 45 relative to the oddnumbered members.

7. Apparatus according to claim, 1, wherein said members are of hexagonal cross-section.

8. Apparatus for the treatment of textile fabric td minimize shrinkage and to stabilize the fabric with respect to residual shrinkage both lengthwise and widthwise, comprising a treatment chamber having an inlet at one end to receive the fabric and an outlet at the other end to discharge the fabric after treatment, a plurality of successive rotatable elongate members arranged in a row the full distance between said inlet and said outlet, said members extending transversely within said chamber with their axes of rotation in a common plane, said members being in closely spaced relation to one another and forming a table to receive and support the fabric in relaxed condition, said members being of uniform cross-section throughout their length to support the fabric at a plurality of longitudinally-spaced narrow areas extendingcontinuously the full width of the fabric, the fabric being completely free in the spaces between said areas, means for rotating said members in the same direction and at the same angular speed to effect movement of the fabric from said inlet to said outlet at a substantially constant rate, and to effect substantially uniform wave-like flexing motion of the fabric throughout the entire distance between said inlet and said outlet, whereby to effect working of the yarns and fibers of the fabric, and means for applying steam to the fabric while it is being worked.

9. Apparatus for the treatment of textile fabric to minimize shrinkage and to stabilize the fabric with respect to residual shrinkage both lengthwise and widthwise, comprising a treatment chamber having an inlet at one end to receive the fabric and an outlet at the other end to discharge the fabric after treatment, a plurality of successive rotatable elongate members arranged in a row the full distance between said inlet and said outlet, said members extending transversely within said chamber with their axes of rotation in a. common plane, said members being in closely spaced relation to one another and forming a table to receive and support the fabric in relaxed condition, said members being of uni form cross-section throughout their length to support the fabric at a plurality of longitudinally-spaced narrow areas extending continuously the full width of the fabric, the fabric being completely free in the spaces between said areas, each of said members having a sprocket at an end thereof, a drive chain engaging the sprockets of said members to rotate the same, means for moving said chain to rotate said members at the same angular speed so as to eifect movement of the fabric from said inlet to said outlet at a substantially constant rate, and to effect substantially uniform wave-like flexing motion of the fabric throughout the entire distance between said inlet and said outlet, whereby to effect working of the yarns and fibers of the fabric, and means for applying steam to the fabric while it is being worked.

10. Apparatus for the treatment of textile fabric to minimize shrinkage and to stabilize the fabric with respect to residual shrinkage both lengthwise and widthwise, comprising a treatment chamber having an inlet at one end to receive the fabric and an outlet at the other end to discharge the fabric after treatment, a plurality of successive rotatable elongate members arranged in a row the full distance between said inlet and said outlet, said members extending transversely within said chamber with their axes of rotation in a common plane, said members being in closely spaced relation to one another and forming a table to receive and support the fabric in relaxed condition, said members being of uniform cross-section throughout their length to support the fabric at a plurality of longitudinally-spaced narrow areas extending continuously the full width of the fabric, the fabric being completely free in the spaces between said areas, means for rotating said members in the same direction and at the same angular speed to effect movement of the fabric from said inlet to said outlet at a substantially constant rate, and to effect substantially uniform wave-like flexing motion of the fabric throughout the entire distance between said inlet and 'said outle'hjjwhereby to 'eifeetworking of the yarns and fibersof the fabric, and a I plurality of steam -pipes extending transversely of said chamber and having steam emission openings to create a steam atmosphere within said chamber so as to steam the fabric while it is being worked.

11. Apparatus for the treatment of textile fabric to minimize shrinkage and to stabilize the fabric with respect to residual shrinkage both lengthwise and widthwise, comprising a treatment chamber having an inlet at one end to receive the fabric and an outlet at the other end to discharge the fabric after treatment, a plurality of successive rotatable elongated members arranged in a row the full distance between said inlet and said outlet, said members extending transversely within said enamber with their axes of rotation in a common plane, said members being in closely spaced relation to one another and forming a table to receive and support the fabric in relaxed condition, said members being of uniform crosssection throughout their length to support the fabric at a plurality of longitudinally-spaced narrow areas extending continuously the full Width of the fabric, the fabric being completely free in the spaces between said areas, each of said members having a sprocket at an end thereof, a drive chain engaging the sprockets of said members to rotate the same, means for moving said chain to'rotate said members at the same angular speed, so as to effect movement of the fabric from said inlet to said outlet at a substantially constant rate, and to effect substantially uniform wave-like flexing motion of the fabrie throughout the entire distance between said inlet and said outlet, whereby to elfect working of the yarns and fibers of the fabric, and a plurality of 'stear'n'pipes extending transversely 'of said chamber and having steam emis sion openings to create a steam atmosphere within said chamber so as to steam the fabric while it is being worked.

12. A method of treating textile fabric to minimize shrinkage and to stabilize the fabric with respect to residual shrinkage both lengthwise and Widthwise, which comprises moving the fabric in relaxed condition and in a general plane through a substantial distance at a substantially constant rate by contact with the upper surfaces of a plurality of closely spaced, elongate, similar and successively arranged, uniformly and simultaneously driven rotary members whose axes of rotation are parallel and are in a common plane, thus imparting wave-like flexing undulations to the fabric during said movement,

thereby to effect working of the yarn and fibers of the: fabric, and applying steam to the fabric while it is being worked.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,052,948 Simpson Sept. 1, 1936 2,325,545 Redman July 27, 1943 2,409,543 Chatfield Oct. 15, 1946 2,439,722 Dreisel Apr. 13, 1948 2,494,731 Vincent et al. Jan. 17, 1950 2,597,528 Redman May 20, 1952 2,597,529 Redman May 20, 1952 2,597,530 Redman May 20, 1952 

